Horse Racing Handicappers Discover Equine Biomechanics

The world of horse racing handicapping is a complex game with many variables. Most handicappers are aware of the importance of time- tested data on speed and past performances. What most handicappers do not know is that a new kind of data has become available. This data, generated through a process called "equine biomechanics" assigns metrics to various aspects of horse athleticism.

Specialized analysts inspect race tapes, collecting over 50 individual observations per horse for each race. It can take up to eight hours for a trained individual to analyze a single race. The data points are then grouped into categories such as coordination, aerobic efficiency, stride quality and endurance. In each category, each horse is assigned a metric based on the data compiled. In addition to creating a quantitative measure for the purpose of comparison, the metrics can also be used to illustrate trends in performance.

While biomechanical measurement is a new development in horse racing, it has become an accepted practice in other sports. Trainers and recruiters for the National Football League, Major League Baseball and for Olympic athletes use biomechanical measurements to dissect athletic performance and ability. The NFL Combine is one of the most recognized applications of biomechanical measurement. At the NFL Combine, players perform a series of drills and tests in which their performance is measured.

In the horse racing industry, the practice of using biomechanics was first introduced by breeders. One company that has successfully used biomechanics in breeding is Monticule Farm. The best know, and most successful horse from Monticule Farm has been Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and 2008 Preakness Stakes.

While some handicappers have embraced the new technology, many are hesitant to make adjustments to their existing approaches. It can take years for handicappers to develop a system. That makes it difficult to integrate a new variable. However, since the spoils of handicapping tend to favor the player with an edge, many handicappers are curious to see if equine biomechanics will provide that edge.

Currently, only one company makes data on equine biomechanics available. Case the Race offers a subscription-based service providing equine biomechanical data on horses racing in California. For those who want to test the data before buying, free trial subscriptions are also available.

According to the Case the Race website, the data is designed to complement horseplayers' existing systems, not to replace them. For example, a player who is adept at identifying winning horses by analyzing speed, pace and class variables would still employ those methods. However, they would have the additional advantage of having information on athletic ability and would be able to examine a horse's recent trends.

If equine biomechanics lives up to the promise of providing handicappers with an advantage, it will be interesting to see how quickly horseplayers will adapt. When speed figures were first introduced, those who were the first to leverage the new information were in a position to reap the most benefits. As the use of speed figures became common practice, those who disregarded them paid a price. However, because speed figures were so widely used, the benefit of using them diminished.


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